A charity run by Franciscan monks could raise up to £8m when three impressionist paintings, which were donated to them, are auctioned on Monday.

The St Francis of Assisi Foundation was given the Monet, Renoir and Vlaminck paintings by an anonymous art collector.

Renoir's L'Estaque could sell for up to £2.5m

The money raised will go towards the foundation's aid projects for the poor around the world, according to auctioneers Christie's.

The most valuable lot is expected to be La Seine a Chatou by Maurice de Vlaminck, which has an estimated price of £3-4m.

"Not since the auction following our sale of Van Gogh's Sunflowers in 1987 has Christie's arranged a sale of such outstanding quality in London," said Christie's international director of international and modern art Jussi Pylkkanen.

The foundation's three works will be sold as part of an impressionist and modern art sale by the auctioneers.